Handbag insert and method of use

ABSTRACT

The present patent disclosure is directed to a removable handbag or purse insert for storage and removal of personal effects, to an assembly of the insert itself and a handbag, and to a method for use of the handbag and insert. The handbag insert is secured within a handbag by one of a number of securement features, which may be zippers, hooks, buttons, clips, clasps, catches or Velcro, as examples.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE APPLICATION

The present patent disclosure generally relates to handbags and purses. More particularly, and not by way of any limitation, the present patent disclosure is directed to a handbag or purse having a removable insert disposed therein for storage and removal of personal effects.

BACKGROUND

Handbags, purses and similar personal conveniences are very popular means of storing and carrying personal effects. These are often much more than mere convenience items, and often serve as prominent fashion elements in addition to their more utilitarian functions. In general, a handbag or purse will incorporate two or more separate pockets or compartments for storage of personal effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to an insert designed to be disposed within a handbag, purse or similar structure and a method of use of such an insert.

According to a first embodiment, the present invention is a method of transferring personal items from a first handbag to a second handbag. The method comprises the steps of providing the first handbag, the first handbag having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper opening having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one first attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge; disposing within the first handbag an inner pocket having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper opening having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one second attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge; securing at least one of the first attachment means to at least one of the second attachment means; disposing within the inner pocket at least one personal item; unsecuring all of the first attachment means from all of the second attachment means; removing the inner pocket from the first handbag; disposing the inner pocket within the second handbag, the second handbag having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one third attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge; and securing at least one of the first attachment means to at least one of the third attachment means.

According to a second embodiment, the present invention is a handbag and insert assembly. The assembly comprises a handbag, the handbag having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper opening having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one first attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge; and an insert, disposed within the handbag, the insert having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper opening having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one second attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge, the first attachment means secured to the second attachment means.

The attachment means may comprise any attachment means known to those of skill in the art including any one or more of a button, clasp, magnetic catch, zipper, snap or velcro, as examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the embodiments of the present patent disclosure may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a pair of handbags and a collection of personal items;

FIG. 2 depicts personal items being moved individually from one handbag to another;

FIG. 3 depicts personal items being disposed into a handbag insert;

FIG. 4 depicts a handbag insert being disposed into a handbag;

FIG. 5 depicts a handbag insert disposed and secured within a handbag;

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a second embodiment of a handbag insert;

FIG. 7 depicts a top view of the handbag insert of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 depicts a cutaway side view of the handbag insert of FIGS. 6 and 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An apparatus and method of the present patent disclosure will now be described with reference to various examples of how the embodiments can best be made and used. Like reference numerals are used throughout the description and several views of the drawings to indicate like or corresponding parts, wherein the various elements are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, depicted therein is a pair of handbags 100 and 102. Disposed adjacent to handbag 100 is a set of personal items, which include makeup 104 and 106, a cellular phone 108, keys 110, a wallet 112 and a personal digital assistant (PDA) 114.

The owner of handbag 100 may dispose items 104-114 into either handbag 100 or 102 individually. This is a relatively time-consuming task. Once the items are disposed in one of handbags 100 and 102, the same time-consuming process will have to be repeated if there is no means to rapidly transfer the items from handbag 100 to handbag 102, or vice versa. The process of disposing items 104-114 individually into handbag 102 is depicted graphically in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 depicts a process of populating a handbag with items 104-114 using a handbag insert 116. The personal items 104-114 are disposed within handbag insert 116. The handbag insert can then be disposed into any handbag designed or modified to accept the handbag insert. Handbags 100, 102 and 118 are presented as examples of such handbags. Depending on the specific embodiment, handbag insert 116 may be secured in place using any of number of connections known to those of skill in the art of securement, including snaps, buttons, magnetic or mechanical clasps, zippers or velcro, as examples.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are section views of a handbag insert 120 being disposed into a handbag 122. Handbag insert 120 incorporates securement features 124 and 126 disposed at its top edge. Handbag 122 incorporates corresponding securement features 128 and 130 at its top edge. Those of skill in the art of securement will appreciate that securement features 124-130 may represent any number of securement features known to those of skill in the art, including snaps, buttons, magnetic or mechanical clasps, zippers or velcro, as examples. Personal items 104-114 are disposed within handbag insert 120. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that, although items 104-114 are depicted as floating within handbag insert 120, they will normally be secured into pockets within handbag insert 120.

Handbag insert 120 is shown in FIG. 4 being inserted into handbag 122. In FIG. 5, handbag insert 120 is shown secured into handbag 122. Securement features 124 and 126 are shown in FIG. 5 as being secured to securement features 128 and 130, respectively, thereby securing handbag insert 120 within handbag 122.

FIGS. 6-8 depict a second embodiment of a handbag insert according to the present invention. Handbag insert 150 incorporates zippers for securement, but those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternate embodiments may employ any of the fastening and securement methods described above. Handbag insert 150 incorporates an upper zipper 152, a middle zipper 154 and a lower zipper 156. Upper zipper 152 is used for securement of handbag insert 150 within a handbag. Lower zippers 154 and 156 are designed to be zipped together in order to reduce the overall height of handbag insert 150 and facilitate its usage within a shallower, lower-profile handbag.

Handbag insert 150 incorporates a central pouch 158 closed by a zipper 160 along its top edge. A side pouch 162 is disposed along one side of the handbag insert 150, and is also closed by a zipper 164. Side pouch 162 may be secured in place permanently, or may be secured by a removable attachment feature, such as a snap, button, velcro or magnetic catch, as examples. A set of side pockets 166-172 are disposed along the side of handbag insert 150 adjacent to the side pouch 164. A second set of side pockets 174-180 is disposed on the opposite side of the handbag insert. Another side pocket 182 and an anchor 184 are disposed on the side of the handbag insert 150 adjacent to side pockets 174-180. Anchor 184 may incorporate any one of a number of features designed to help secure loose items, including but not limited to a latch, a clip, a hook, a clamp or a strap, any one of which may be detachably secured to anchor 184.

It is believed that the operation and construction of the embodiments of the present patent disclosure will be apparent from the Detailed Description set forth above. While the exemplary embodiments shown and described may have been characterized as being preferred, it should be readily understood that various changes and modifications could be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims. 

1. A method of transferring personal items from a first handbag to a second handbag, comprising the steps of: providing the first handbag, the first handbag having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper opening having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one first attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge; disposing within the first handbag an inner pocket having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper opening having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one second attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge; securing at least one of the first attachment means to at least one of the second attachment means; disposing within the inner pocket at least one personal item; unsecuring all of the first attachment means from all of the second attachment means; removing the inner pocket from the first handbag; disposing the inner pocket within the second handbag, the second handbag having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one third attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge; and securing at least one of the first attachment means to at least one of the third attachment means.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first attachment means comprises a button.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first attachment means comprises a snap.
 4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first attachment means comprises a zipper.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first attachment means comprises a magnetic catch.
 6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first attachment means comprises velcro.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first attachment means comprises a clasp.
 8. A handbag and insert assembly, comprising: a handbag, the handbag having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper opening having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one first attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge; an insert, disposed within the handbag, the insert having an inner surface, an outer surface, an upper opening having an edge disposed thereabout and at least one second attachment means disposed adjacent to the edge, the first attachment means secured to the second attachment means.
 9. The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the first attachment means comprises a button.
 10. The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the first attachment means comprises a snap.
 11. The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the first attachment means comprises a zipper.
 12. The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the first attachment means comprises a magnetic catch.
 13. The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the first attachment means comprises velcro.
 14. The assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein the first attachment means comprises a clasp. 